Oxygen Therapy involves breathing pure oxygen through a mask whilst sitting in a pressurised chamber. Don’t worry if you have never heard of it before, many people don’t know about it and chambers are few and far between. In fact, we have the only one in Berkshire. Our chamber sits up to seven people inside and we have an additional non-pressurised surface breathing position. The chamber is accessible for people in wheelchairs and oxygen treatment is safe and non-intrusive. 

Man smiling putting on oxygen mask in an oxygen chamber

What happens during an Oxygen Therapy session?

Most people have never seen an oxygen chamber before and have not been in one. Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes: an hour of breathing in the oxygen at ‘depth’ and approximately 10-15 minutes at each end of the session for the chamber to be pressurised and depressurised. The session follows the same pattern each time:

  1. You will be greeted by our friendly and highly trained volunteer operators
  2. You will be settled in the wheelchair accessible chamber with up to six other people (or at the external breathing position if that is your preference)
  3. The door is closed and the operator begins to pressurise the chamber. During the session the chamber will be pressurised to the equivalent diving depth of 16.5ft, 24ft or 33ft.
  4. Once ‘at depth’, you will breathe the oxygen through a face mask for an hour – you can take the mask off whenever you want and breathe normally
  5. You will spend the hour breathing normally and many of our members take this time to read, listen to music or simply enjoy having time to themselves.
  6. After an hour, the chamber is gradually depressurised and you can take off your mask – it can feel a little cooler during this time
  7. Once the chamber is back to surface pressure, the door is opened and you can go about your day

Oxygen Therapy can help with

  • Pain
  • Bladder
  • Fatigue
  • Eyesight
  • Healing

Surface pressure oxygen

Some people are unable to go into the chamber – this could be due to claustrophobia, ear problems, colds and sinus problems or being unable to commit to being in the chamber for up to 90 minutes. We have an external breathing position enabling people to receive oxygen treatment without going into the chamber and under pressure. Whilst it may not be as beneficial as oxygen treatment within the chamber, many people find it is better than receiving no oxygen treatment at all. There is one space available for each session.  

Oxygen treatment has given me more energy and lifted my brain fog so I am able to do other types of exercise and maintain mobility and strength. I couldn’t live without it.

Member feedback
Roni and Jonathon

How much does it cost?

As one of our core therapies, we offer Oxygen Therapy free of charge. Donations are encouraged from those who can afford it towards the running of the charity. There is a £25 refundable deposit for mask use.

FAQs

How to sign up

If you would like to find out more about Oxygen Therapy for people with MS, please complete the form below or give us a call on 0118 901 6000. If you are interested in Oxygen Therapy for people without MS, please click here.

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